>> Unfortunately, they cannot be installed years later because the repositories generally no longer exist! > Yes, this is a problem with any OS with network re

>> Unfortunately, they cannot be installed years later because the repositories generally no longer exist! > Yes, this is a problem with any OS with network repos as the default source. It's way easier (most of the time) on 'that monster' because the program installers are self contained. Not disagreeing, just adding some notes from memory :) So, linux distros like SUSE used to be several CD:s containing the entire repository, and yet more CD:s with the src packages. You normally would just use the first cd to install a base system, and then connect it to the online package repository. See here for openSUSE 10 (2006): http://ftp5.gwdg.de/pub/opensuse/discontinued/distribution/10.2/iso/cd/ http://ftp5.gwdg.de/pub/opensuse/discontinued/distribution/1... The installation even set up the package manager with the cdimage as source and you would have to edit the package manager config in order to even get updates over the internet.